Foldable gambrel



Dec. 1)1946.L J.W.HAD1NG 2,411,856`

' FOLDABLE GAMBREL Filed March 22, 1945 'l In ventor l Jmes l/V Hard/7g MVM Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDABLE GAMBREL James W. Harding, Marysville, Calif.

Application March 22, 1945, Serial No. 584,170

which, it is believed, is practicable, susceptible of expeditious handling and use, and which is otherwise more satisfactory and aptly designed to achieve my desired aims.

Keeping in 'mind the foregoing factors andr observations, I accomplish the results desired through the medium of a simple frame in the form of a sheath, this provided with a swivelly mounted suspension eye and serving to accommodate the inner ends of the duplicate hanger arms, the latter having their inner ends hingedly mounted and confined in said sheath.

Further, and in carrying out the specific principles of the invention, the sheath is provided with three properly constructed and positioned blocks, these functioning as abutments and serving to equalize and distribute strains and stresses, whereby to provide for stability and reliable and convenient handling.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a top plan or edge view of a gambrel constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, with the arms shown eX- tended to aligned supporting position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is an end View.

Figure 4 is an elevational view showing the position of the arms and otherparts when said arms are collapsed or folded.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view in section and elevation showing the interior construction of the sheath.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be seen that all of the parts are o f proper materials, shapes and proportions. The sheath is denoted, as a unit, by

3 Claims. (Cl. 294-79) 2 the numeral 8. It comprises a pair of spaced parallel rigid plates Il of general rectangular form. Flush with the top edges and secured between the intermediate or central portions of the plates is a rectangular block I0, this fastened in place, as at II. The block is provided With a -central swivelly mounted suspension eye I2. The lower surfaces of the block, as at I2, in Figure 4, constitute stops or abutments,. Companion and smaller blocks I3 and I4, these being duplicates of one another, are secured, as at I5, between the so-called lower corner portions of the plates. The upper and inner edges of these function as abutments, and they are properly positioned to coact, in balanced relation, with the main central block II).

The arms, which are also duplicates, are denoted by the numerals lli-I6, these being provided at their outer ends with suitably shaped hanger hooks I'I. The inner ends I8 are positioned for limited swinging movements between the plates` 9 and blocks I 0. I3 and I4. Said inner ends are pivoted, as at the points I9, to provide the desired hinge connection.

In operation, that is, when the gambrel is set for use, the arms occupy the horizontal aligned positions seen in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5. In particular reference to Figure 5, it will be noted that at this time the inner end portions I8 rest in firm contact with the inner surfaces or abutments I2 of the block I0. Simultaneously, the portions of the arms slightly outwardly of the pivot rest on the then top surfaces or abutments of the blocks I3 and I4. It follows that the hinged end portions I8 coacting with the blocks I0, and the adjacent end portions coacting with the blocks I3 and I4, provide the distribution of stress and strain and prevent breakage of the hinge pins I9. Then, when the arms are folded into parallelism and at right angles to the sheath, as shown in Figure 4, the ythree blocks also function as spacing and bracing elements, as is obvious.

When the device is in use, the eye-equipped swivel pin I2 provides a suitable suspension and prevents twisting of hanger ropes such ,as are sometimes used in hanging the carcass for butchering. Also, the arms serve to spread the legs of the carcass to expedite handling the carcass while skinning and butchering.

'I'he distance between the abutment surfaces I2 of the block I Il, and the abutment surfaces, that is, the horizontal surfaces, of the blocks I3 and I4 is such as to accommodate the precise Width of the pivoted inner ends of said arms.

In other words, this is a precision selection and organization of parts which is calculated to best serve the intended ends.

Gambrels are generally well known, and the uses to which they are put are within the knowledge of those who use them. For this reason, it is thought unnecessary to picture the carcass, in the drawing, suspended on the gambrel.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawing will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A gambrel comprisinga sheath embodying a pair of spaced parallel plates, a'block secured between said plates and provided with a swivel suspension eye, and a pair of arms hingedly mounted between the plates and having their inner ends engageable with an adjacent abutment-forming surface of the block, together with additional blocks mounted between said plates, said blocks being in alignment with each other and on a plane below the first-named block, said second-named blocks also serving as abutments for the pivoted ends of said arms.

2. A gambrel comprising a sheath embodying a pair of spaced parallel duplicate plates, a plate spacer and abutment block mounted and secured between the central upper edge portions of said plates, a swivel suspension eye mounted in said block, a pair of arms hingedly mounted between the plates and having their inner ends engageable with the adjacent inner abutment surfaces of -said block.

3. A gambrel comprising a sheath embodying a pairof spaced parallel plates, a block secured between said plates, a pair of arms hingedly mounted between the plates and having their inner ends engageable with an adjacent abutment forming surface oi said block, and additional locks mounted between said plates, said blocks being in alignment with eachother and on a plane below the rst named block, said second named block also serving as abutments for the pivoted ends of said arms.

JAMES W. HARDING. 

